Career and Technical Education (CTE) Foundations


Rationale Statement:

The key to developing an effective organization, whether it is in the workplace or community, depends on perspective, character, and group interaction. People need to understand the processes for creating an environment that values both relationships and results. They need to be able to lead, accomplish goals, and effectively work with others.


Suggested grade level: 9-12

Topics covered
    • Characteristics, leadership styles and habits of effective leaders
    • Effective management of self, teams, and organizations
    • Importance of communication and social skills in creating a professional image
    • Structure, programs, activities, and leadership activities of career and technical student organizations
    • Ethical behavior in leadership situations
    • Effective work relationships
    • Communication strategies for positive work relationships
    • Problem solving
    • Relationship of wellness and productive workers

Core Technical Standards & Examples

Indicator #1: Evaluate skills for effective leadership in the workplace and community
Bloom’s Taxonomy Level
Standards and Examples
Analysis
CTEF 1.1 Analyze characteristics, leadership styles, and habits of effective leaders
For example:
  • Develop a list of characteristics of effective and ineffective leaders
  • Read “The Richest Man in Town” by V.J. Smith and discuss the leadership characteristics that Marty exemplifies
  • Identify effective leadership styles for given situations
  • Write and tape a commercial that sells one of the “Six Pillars of Character” as important to effective leaders
  • Select a leader that you admire and write a biological sketch that describes the leadership characteristics, style, and habits of that person
  • Evaluate a scenario on effective leaders
  • Analyze personal leadership characteristics, style, and habits
Application
CTEF 1.2 Develop strategies for effective management of self, teams, and organizations
For example:
  • Develop a process to set and achieve personal and professional goals
  • Role play the stages of team development
  • Synthesize reactions to team building activities through group discussion and self reflection
  • Compare the purposes of different types of meetings
  • Write appropriate meeting reports, i.e. agendas, minutes, financial reports, committee reports
  • Research and demonstrate the use of parliamentary procedure in conducting a business meeting
  • Participate in consensus building activities for given situations
Evaluation
CTEF 1.3 Assess the importance of communication and social skills in creating a professional image
For example:
  • Plan, develop and deliver an oral presentation on a topic of interest to a specific group
  • Evaluate written communication for professional presentation
  • Demonstrate proper eating etiquette through participation in a formal dining experience
  • Illustrate appropriate dress for specific situations
  • Produce a video that illustrates a professional image

Evaluation
CTFE 1.4 Assess programs, activities, and leadership opportunities of career and technical student organizations in preparing future leaders
For example:
  • Research and prepare a presentation on a career and technical student organization
  • Organize a class mini chapter for a career and technical student organization
  • Develop a Program of Work appropriate for a career and technical student organization
  • Plan, implement and evaluate activities from an organization’s Program of Work

Application
CTFE 1.5 Apply standards of ethical behavior in leadership situations
For example:
  • Compare ethical standards of various organizations
  • Create a character contract for leadership
  • Write a summary on an article related to inequity and prejudice
  • Examine and reflect on recent legal conflicts resulting from unethical behavior
  • Document personal and peer demonstrations of respect through a respect journal

Indicator #2: Evaluate skills for effective work relationships
Comprehension
CTFE 2.1 Describe elements that contribute to effective work relationships (respect for differences, flexibility, honesty, integrity)
For example:
  • Discuss how personal character traits impact work relationships
  • Interview employers on their views related to work ethic
  • Observe and analyze the interaction of people in a work setting
Application
CTFE 2.2 Demonstrate communication strategies that contribute to positive work relationships
For example:
  • Assess personal communication style and the impact of this style on work relationships
  • Examine the impact of technology on communication and work relationships
  • Demonstrate effective listening and feedback skills through role play activities
Indicator #3: Distinguish factors that influence wellness practices of productive workers
Comprehension
CTEF 3.1 Identify governmental, economic, geographic, and technological influences on individual wellness
For example:
  • Research and report on laws that impact individual wellness
  • Discuss the effect of the current economic situation on individual wellness
  • Compare individual wellness indicators in a variety of geographic locations
  • Debate the influence of technology on the enhancement of individual wellness
Analysis
CTEF 3.2 Analyze the impact of daily choices, behaviors, and other factors on wellness and productivity (i.e., exercise, nutrition, stress, genetics, work environment, life events)
For example:
  • Assess the impact of life events on personal stress
  • Create a stress management commercial
  • Evaluate a workplace setting for potential hazards to wellness and productivity of workers
  • Analyze impact of present nutrition and exercise habits on future wellness
  • Assess personal workplace safety attitudes and their effect on your wellness and productivity